The Kwara State Government has committed to improve its relationship with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in order to reap more mutual benefits.
Abdullahi Abubakar Bata, the state Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs, and Community Development, made the vow while hosting the State Management Team of the NYSC, led by the State Coordinator, Mr. Onifade Joshua, in his office.
Mr Bata commended NYSC for its critical role in the growth of the state and Nigeria as a whole, and urged it to keep up the momentum.
He stressed that the NYSC’s efforts to improve the quality of education and health care at the grassroots level, through the deployment of corps members to schools and medical centers in diverse areas, cannot be overstated.
The commissioner promised the team that an interaction with the Transition Implementation Committee (TIC) Chairmen from the State’s 16 Local Government Areas would be established soon to inform them of the need to strengthen their engagement.
He, however, expressed his readiness to collaborate with the NYSC to achieve some set goals and make Kwara a conducive environment for corps members to live.
The State Coordinator of NYSC, Mr. Joshua Onifade congratulated the Commissioner on his recent appointment, describing him as a round peg in a round hole.
He emphasised the key roles the Ministry had been playing in the smooth running of the scheme, which necessitated their coming to identify with him.
The coordinator added that the NYSC has come to seek the support of TIC Chairmen through the Ministry in ensuring that the safety and welfare of corps members are well taken care of.
Onifade, who thanked the Ministry and the Management Staff for their warm welcome, intimated to the Commissioner that he would soon be called to come and meet with the corps members while they were in orientation camp, to improve their morale and give them a sense of belonging.
Mrs. Iyabo Modupe Adekeye, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, expressed gratitude on behalf of the Ministry and informed the team of the Ministry’s open-door policy and readiness to be partners in the scheme’s implementation.
